How to play basketball? 10 basic rules of basketball for kids and adults

The game of basketball was invented back in 1892 by the legendary Dr. James Naismith, the father of basketball penned down a total of 10 general rules of basketball when he invented his game.

Let’s look at the ten essential basketball rules for kids and adults. We will also discuss how to play basketball.

Basketball General Rule for kids

Basketball has two five-player teams: offensive and defensive. The offensive team is the one with the basketball, while the defensive team is without it.

The rules for both offense and defense are listed below. While some rules may vary depending on where you live, general guidelines are.

How to Play Basketball?

Basketball is played to score more points than the opposing team by putting the ball in the basket.

One team’s players attempt to prevent the other team’s players from scoring. Baskets are worth one, two, or three points. For example, each average score is worth two points; however, if the ball is thrown into the hoop from behind the extensive arced line on the court known as the “3-point line,” the score is worth three points.

At the end of the game, the team with the more points wins. Shooting, passing (throwing or handing off), and dribbling are all ways to move the ball forward. Walking or running player cannot carry the ball without dribbling it. When this rule is broken, it is an illegal move.

The game is played on a rectangle-shaped court with a goal called a “hoop” in the shape of a circle basket with the bottom cut out on both end lines. The following items are required for each basketball game:

Basketball

Basketball court
Backboard and hoop

Rules to Play Basketball

Here are some rules to play basketball that were initially written and approved by James Naismith. We have explained the rules so that kids can understand the rules of playing basketball as well.

Point/Dunk Rule

Any shot made from the inbound line beneath the basketball rim to the three-point arc is worth two points. Furthermore, any shot attempt beyond the three-point circumference is worth three points. Any shot a few inches past the three-point line to any shot well behind the three-point line falls into this category.

There are also free throw shots to consider in addition to two and three-point shots. After a defensive player has fouled an offensive player, a free throw shot is taken from the free-throw line.

Time Limit Rule

The shot clock in professional leagues is set to 24 seconds. This means the offensive team has an entire 24-second window to attempt a shot. The shot attempt must be released from the player’s palm within 24-seconds, and only if the ball successfully touches the rim and the offensive team secures an offensive rebound will it be reset.

There are additional time limits on inbounding the basketball, shooting the basketball from the half court, dribbling the ball past the half-court line, and other clock limit rules in addition to shot clock limits. These rules were enacted to encourage players to play more quickly.

Basketball Rules on the Defense side

When playing defense, the rules are designed to limit the amount of contact the defensive player makes with the offensive player. While some contact is permitted, defensive players are limited in how much they can make. This usually means that the defensive player is not permitted to enter the offensive player’s space or push the offensive player.

Defensive players, likewise, have rules in place even when defending players who do not have the ball. For example, pulling, pushing, shoving, or tripping any offensive player is prohibited.

Defensive players are also prohibited from colliding with other players and poking or injuring them.

Detailed rules on the offensive side for kids and adults

The player’s hand must always be on top of the ball while dribbling or bouncing. Carrying occurs when a player’s hand is at the bottom of the ball at any given time, and the player risks losing the ball to the opposing team.
There is no going back into the backcourt once the offensive team reaches/crosses half-court. They may only go ahead with the attack if they get permission. A backcourt violation occurs when a team returns to the backcourt at any point during the game. However, when the defensive team knocks the ball into the offensive team’s backcourt, the offensive team can recover the ball.

The offensive team must keep the ball inbounds at all times when it is in play. If the ball is lost out of bounds during play, the ball is turned over to the opposing team.
Once a player has stopped dribbling, they cannot begin dribbling again. They have the option of passing the ball or shooting a basket. A double-dribble violation occurs when a player dribbles twice in a row, and the ball is given to the opposing team.
The player’s hand must always be on top of the ball while dribbling or bouncing. Carrying occurs when a player’s hand is at the bottom of the ball at any given time, and the player risks losing the ball to the opposing team.

Detailed Rules for Defensive side for kids and adults

The basketball cannot be kicked or hit with a fist.
All players at all positions are subject to the rules of the game.
At any given time, any player cannot willingly touch/move a person with contact.

No player can touch the ball while traveling into the basket, disrupting its projectile.

Conclusion

We have concluded with the ten basketball rules that have been written for adults and kids. James Naismith wrote the 13 basic basketball rules, which started the most exciting sports in the world. Indeed, it is better to understand and then play the game to keep it fair.

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